President says U.S. is not engaging Mojtaba Khamenei as uncertainty grows over who holds authority in Tehran.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States is not conducting negotiations with Iran’s reported new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, emphasizing that discussions are instead being held with another figure he believes holds actual authority.
Speaking to reporters in remarks reported by The Hill, Trump said, “We’re dealing with a man who I believe is the most respected and the leader,” adding, “We have not heard from the son.”
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, has been the subject of uncertainty regarding his status and role following recent developments in Iran. Questions remain about his position and whether he is actively exercising leadership authority.
Separate reporting from the Jerusalem Post cited anonymous sources indicating that Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf may be leading negotiations. His authority to conduct such discussions, as well as his influence over Iran’s military structure, has not been clearly established.
Trump’s comments follow his earlier announcement that planned U.S. strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure would be delayed for five days after what he described as productive engagement. However, Iranian officials have denied that direct negotiations with Washington are taking place, stating that any communication has occurred through intermediaries.
The conflicting accounts underscore ongoing uncertainty over both the status of diplomatic contacts and the internal leadership structure in Tehran as tensions continue.
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